Load break cut-out



mum!

July 15, 1958 Filed March 9, 1955 R. A. WOOD 2,843,704

LOAD BREAK CUT-OUT 2 Sheets-Sheet l my h y 1958 R. A. WOOD 2,843,704

LOAD BREAK CUT-OUT Filed March 9, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR80.9.9511 A. W000 WiM United States Patent 2,843,704 Patented July 15,1958 ice LOAD BREAK CUT-GUT Russell A. Wood, Jeannette, Pa., assignor toli-T-E flircuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia, PZL, a corporation ofPennsylvania Application March 9, 1955, Serial No. 493,177

21 (Ilairns. (Cl. Nth-114) My invention relates to a load breakmechanism for a cut-out device.

For purposes of simplicity, I hereinafter describe my invention withreference to fuse cut-outs. However, it shall be noted that my novelload break mechanism can be used in cut-outs where there are maincontacts in series with any interrupting means such as auxiliarycontacts confined in an interrupting chamber. A device of this type towhich my novel load break mechanism can be applied is the interrupterswitch shown in U. S. Patent No. 2,383,795, issued August 28, 1945, andassigned to the assignee of the instant invention.

Fuse cut-outs are well known devices used in the interruption of faultcurrents and overload currents on distribution systems having relativelyhigh voltage. They normally comprise a pair of contacts in series with afuse link. The fuse link is then surrounded by a fuse tube orinterrupting chamber which can be made of a fibre lined laminatedphenolic tube with the bore and tube length dictated by the continuouscurrent rating and voltage rating of the cut-out. The complete assemblyis then supported between an upper and lower support.

The fuse tube ends can then be enclosed to operate for single vent ordouble vent operation with a device such as the expendible disc for afuse cut-out, which I show in my co-pending application Serial No.489,410, filed February 21, 1955.

Upon the occurrence of an iover-load, the fuse link will melt andseparate within the confines of the fuse tube. After clearance of thearc and interruption of the circuit, the main contacts can bedisengaged.

It is often desirable to open the system protected by the fuse cut-outmanually while the system is carrying load current. However, atdistribution voltages of to 17 kv., the arcing associated with theengaging contacts due to the continuous current and voltage can not becounted on to clear themselves in the air. It is, therefore, necessaryto break the fuse link first and after the fuse link separates at aproper velocity to a predetermined distance the arc will be cleared inthe fuse tube and the fuse cutout contacts can be subsequentlydisengaged.

The type fuse cut-out normally used for this purpose, that is, for loadbreak, has some type of a hinge arrangement that allows the cut-out fuseholder to disengage itself from the top contact upon separation of thefuse link. It is, however, possible that the arc inside the fuse tubewould not be extinguished by the time the cut-out fuse contacts begin todisengage. Thus, the current flow ing causes an arc across thedisengaging contacts which may transfer around the fuse holder andinterruption will not occur.

One system that has been used to keep the contacts from disengaginguntil the are across the separated fuse link is extinguished shows afuse hook to operate a lever arm which prys the fuse link apart with alever arrangement that requires the operator to push upward with thefuse hook. The fuse hook is then maintained in the up- Ward position bythe operator until the arc across the separated fuse link has had achance to clear inside the fuse tube. After the arc has cleared, theoperator then allows the fuse holder to disengage from the upper contactby another motion of the lever arm to thereby open the fuse cut-outcontacts.

This system has two severe disadvantages. The first is that if theoperator releases his pressure on the fuse hook too quickly the fusecut-out contacts will disengage before the arc across the fuse link hasbeen completely extinguished.

The second disadvantage is that the operator must physically separatethe relatively strong fuse link with an upward motion. An upward motionof this type requiring considerable force is an Lin-orthodox and awkwardmotion.

My invention provides a load break mechanism for a fuse cut-out whichallows the operator to separate the fuse link for load break operationwith a downward motion. The load break mechanism of my invention furtherprovides a latch means to maintain the fuse cut-out contacts in theengaged position until the operator returns the operating lever to asecond position after the arc across the fuse link has extinguished.

Two distinct advantages are inherent in my invention. The first is thatthe operator separates the fuse link physically with a downward motionof the fuse hook. This allows the operator to use his weight to separatethe fuse link in contra-distinction to the upward push required in priorart load break cut-outs.

The second advantage presented by my invention is that after thephysical separation of the fuse link, the ends of the broken fuse linkwill separate to a predetermined distance at a predetermined velocity ina manner controlled by the operator. Therefore, an operator can be surethat the fuse link has completely interrupted the arc before he returnsthe operating lever to a new position to thereby allow the fuse-outcontacts to separate.

In principle, my novel invention can comprise a toggle which may have afixed pivot and a movable pivot and having the toggle maintain the fusecut-out contacts in the engaged position when the toggle is latched anda disengaged position when the toggle is unlatched. Therefore, when thetoggle is in the unlatched position, the movable pivot can rotate aboutthe fixed pivot to thereby allow the fuse holder to drop vertically fromits upper latch and to subsequently completely disengage the uppercontacts by having the complete fuse holder rotate about the fixedpivot.

The toggle system is normally latched to maintain the fuse cut-outcontacts in the engaged position. The normally latched position can bemaintained by the physically unseparated or fused fuse link. When thefuse link is separated due to overcurrent in the system, the latch isremoved and the melted link is separated to a predetermined distance dueto the rotation of the unlatched toggle and the complete fuse tubeassembly subsequently rotates about the fixed pivot point to therebydisengage the fuse cut-out contacts.

On load break operation, the fuse link is physically broken byenergization of the operating lever to thereby remove the first latch.This energization can be a manual rotation of the operating lever by anoperator. However, before the first latch is removed, a second latchwhich is brought into position by the motion of the operating leverlatches the toggle. Hence, when the fuse link separates and theseparated fuse link ends are driven to a predetermined distance toinsure the extinction of the arc, the toggle which is still latchedmaintains the fuse cut-out contacts in the engaged position. Asubsequent operation of the operating lever then removes the secondlatch to thereby unlatch the toggle and allow the fuse holder to rotateabout the fixed pivot to effect disengagement of the fuse cut-out uppercontacts.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of my invention to provide a cut-outdevice having a load break feature in which the upper and lower contactsof the load break cut-out are maintained closed and require a secondmanual operation to open the upper contacts after the fuse link isseparated and interrupts the arc.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cut-out device whicheffects load break operation by downward pull on the operating lever bythe operator.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a toggle system for afuse tube cut-out which is unlatchcd when the fuse link is separated byovercurrent and allows subsequent automatic separation of the maincontacts after the arc is extinguished in the fuse tube and latches onload break operation to maintain the load cut-out c facts closed untilafter the fuse link is completely separt .d.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an operating leverfor a cut-out device which l tches the cut-out main contacts closed onload break operation until an interrupting means in series with the maincontacts completely extinguishes the arc.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control means such as theabove latch arrangement which will maintain the cut-out contacts closedon load break operation until an interrupting means in series with themain contacts completely extinguishes the arc.

These and other objects of my invention will be apparent from thefollowing description when taken in connection with the drawings inwhich:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a complete fuse cut-out embodying my novelload break feature under normal current carrying conditions.

Figure 2 shows the load break mechanism of Figure 1 after operation onoverload.

Figure 3 shows the load break mechanism of Figure 1 after load breakoperation.

Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of my novel load break mechanismunder normal current carrying conditions.

In Figure 1, I show a complete load break cutout in which fuse supportsupports the upper tube assembly shown in dotted box 11 and the lowertube assembly shown in dotted boX 12.

My novel invention is directed to the mechanism of lower tube assembly12. Fuse tube 13 is supported between upper tube assembly 11 and lowertube assembly 12 and the upper end is capped by an expendible disc capor a cap 130. Pryout lever 11d is provided for manual operation of thefuse cutout under no load conditions so that the fuse holder can bedisengage-d from the upper contact without breaking fuse link Withinfuse tube 13 is the fuse link 14. The fuse tube is then rigidly fastenedto a lower tube support casting 15.

The main current path is now from terminal 11a, are horn 11b, tube endHe, fuse link 14, trunnion casting 16, hinge 21 and terminal 210.Trunnion casting 16 acts as a latch for toggle link 1'7 along thesurface 13 when fuse link 14 is in position prior to separation thereof.Toggle link 17 and lower tube support 15 are both pivotally supported atpivot 19. Protrusion 15a of lower tube support casting 15 acts as a stopfor clockwise rotation of toggle link 17 about pivot point 1% andsurface 13 of toggle link 17 acts as a stop for clockwise rotation oflatch 16 about pivot point 29. Toggle link 17 has a second fixed pivotwhich lies in hinge casting 21. The fuse link leader of fuse link 14 isfastened to the first latch m mber or trunnion casting 16 by means ofnut 22 and stud 22a. Note that the fuse link leader can latch togglelink 17 directly as well as indirectly as shown in Figure l.

Trunnion casting 16 is also shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 as beingrotated about hinge tothe position it will assume when not held in thelatch position by the fuse link leader and fuse link 14.

The operating lever of the fuse cut-out of Figure l is shown as lever 23which can have an opening eye 24 at one end. Operating lever 23 ispivotally connected to the lower tube support casting 15 at pivot 25 andcarries a pin as which can engage latch 16, and a second latch 27 whichcan latch toggle link 17 at the surface 28 when operating lever 23 isactivated.

Operating lever 23 is maintained in the position shown in Figures 1 and4 during normal operating condition by a biasing means such as spring 32to keep latch 27 from accidentally engaging surface 28 of toggle link17.

Although operating lever 23 has its pivotal connection 25 on the lowertube support casting 15 in Figure 1, it should be noted that it couldhave been mounted on the hinge casting 21 as is shown in Figure 4.

The operation of the particular embodiment which I show in Figures 1, 2and 3 is as follows. During normal operating conditions, fuse linkleader 14 maintains the first latch or trunnion casting 16 in engagementwith toggle link 17 along surface 18, as shown in Figure 1. Hence, thefuse holder when latched in position in the upper tube support cannotrotate about pivot 20 and the main operating contacts at the upper tubesupport are maintained in engagement.

1f the fuse link 14 is now separated due to fault conditions in theprotected system as shown in Figure 2, latch 16 is free to rotate in acounterclockwise direction around pivot point 20 to the position shown.Since toggle link 17 is now unlatched, pivot 19 also rotates about pivot20 in a counterclockwise direction to the position shown in Figure 2.

It should be noted that this operation can be accelerated by means of aspring bias in the mechanism. One such bias could be a downward forceexerted by the are horn 11B. Hence, fuse link 14 is separated to apredetermined distance to insure interruption of the arc.

Note that in this motion, lower tube support casting 15 drops in anapproximately horizontal direction, thus dropping fuse tube 13 out ofthe latch position in the upper tube support. Once the upper tubesupport is unlatched, the fuse holder is now free to subsequently rotatearound pivot point 20 to thereby completely disengage the fuse holderfrom are horn 11B.

In summary, when the fuse cutout of my invention operates under faultconditions, as shown in Figure 2, toggle link 17 is automaticallyunlatched by latch 16 to thereby unlatch the upper tube support and atthe same time insure dielectric separation of the fuse link 14 for areinterruption and subsequently allow the fuse holder to rotate aboutpivot 20 to thereby disengage the main fuse cut-out contacts at theupper support.

In the case of load break operation, my novel load break mechanismoperates as shown in Figure 3. Lever arm 23 which is normally held inthe up position by a spring 32 is forced to rotate counterclockwisearound pivot point 25. This can be accomplished by an operator byinserting a fuse hook in opening eye 24 and exerting a downward motionon the lever arm 23. In the course of the counterclockwise motion of thelever arm, a second latch 27 which is mounted on lever arm 23 engagesthe surface 23 of toggle link 17. Further rotation of operating lever 23brings pin 26 which is fastened to lever arm 23 into engagement with thefirst latch member 16. A still further motion of lever arm 23 force pin26 to rotate the first latch 16 counterclockwise about pivot point 20 tothereby rupture fuse link 14. Figure 3 shows the mechanism after fuselink 14 has separated.

It should be noted, however, that when latch 16 is forced to disengagetoggle link 17, a second latch 27 has already been placed in position tomaintain toggle link 17 in the latched position. After fuse link 14 isruptured, the first latch member 16 is rotated about pivot point 20 tothe position shown in Figure 3. This assures a dielectric separation ofthe two ends of the ruptured fuse link 14 to extinguish the are formedby the separation. However, in this case, pivot point 19 can not rotateabout pivot point 20 and the fuse holder cannot drop down and disengagethe cut-out contacts since latch 27 on lever arm 23 now latches togglelink 17 at the surface 28. Hence, load break operation is achieved in asmooth downward motion in which the operator can exert his full weighton a switch stick inserted in opening eye 24.

In summary, on the load break operation shown in Figure 3, fuse link 14is ruptured and unlatches a first latch, and causes adequate separationof the ruptured end to insure arc extinguishment. However, since togglelink 17 is maintained latched by a second latch 27, the fuse holder cannot rotate out of its upper latch position and the fuse cut-out contactsat the upper tube support are maintained in engagement. This assures theoperator of complete load interruption on load break operation before hecan open the main fuse cut-out contacts.

Once the fuse link 14 has completely extinguished the arc as shown inFigure 3, the operator can now lift operating lever 23 to its previousposition to thereby unlatch toggle link 17 by removing the latch 27 fromthe toggle link surface 28. Pivot point 19 is then free to rotate aboutthe fixed pivot 20 to thereby cause a downward motion of the fuse holderas shown in Figure 2, thus causing subsequent disengagement of the fuseholder from the upper latch assembly and subsequent rotation of the fuseholder about pivot point 20.

The embodiment of my novel load break mechanism, shown in Figure 4illustrates a modification of the device shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.Figure 4 illustrates that lever arm 23 can be pivoted at pivot point 25which is now maintained on hinge casting 21. I further show the firstlatch or trunnion casting 16 as having a guide slot 29 at pivot point 19in order to allow latch 16 to rotate counterclockwise during load breakoperation about pivot 20.

Stop 30 is now mounted on toggle link 17 to thereby prevent the firstlatch 16 from rotating counterclockwise about pivot 19 when toggle link17 is locked in the position shown. Furthermore, stop 15a of lower tubesupport casting 15 is now positioned to engage toggle link 17 to therebyprevent clockwise rotation of toggle link 17 about pivot point 19.

The operation of the embodiment of Figure 4 is almost exactly the sameas the operation of the load break mechanism of Figures l 2 and 3. Thatis, similar to Figure 2, if fuse link 14 interrupts fault current, thefirst latch 16 rotates counterclockwise about pivot 24 to therebydisengage toggle link 17 at surface 18. Since toggle link 17 is nolonger latched, toggle link 17 and the first latch 16 can rotatecounterclockwise as a unit around pivot 19 while pivot 19 rotatescounterclockwise about pivot 20 to complete disengagement of the fuseholder from the upper contacts.

On load break operation, operating lever 23 is rotated counterclockwiseabout pivot 25 similar to the operation in Figure 3. Latch 27 is movedinto the latch position at surface 28 of toggle link 17 and pin 26engages the first latch 16 to subsequently rupture fuse link 14. Thefirst latch 16 now rotates counterclockwise about pivot 20 by slidingbetween pivot 19 and stop 3% to thereby separate the ruptured fuse linkto completely extinguish the are formed. However, since toggle link 17is now latched by latch 27, stop 3t? mounted on toggle 17, preventslatch 16, from rotating about pivot 19, the fuse holder can not rotateabout pivot 20 and the main fuse cut-out contacts are maintained in theengaged position. In order to unlatch the load break mechanism to allowthe fuse holder contacts to disengage, the operating lever 23 is nowmoved upward to allow unlatching between latch 27 and toggle link 17.

In the foregoing, I have described my invention only in connection withpreferred embodiments thereof. Many variations and modifications of theprinciples of my invention within the scope of the description hereinare 6 obvious. Accordingly, I prefer to be bound not by the specificdisclosure herein but only by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. In a fuse cut-out comprising an operating means, a fuse tube and afuse link; a toggle link operatively connected to said fuse tube; afirst and second latch for said toggle link; said first latchconstructed to maintain said toggle link in the latched position whensaid fuse link is fused and in the unlatched position when said fuselink is separated; said operating means being manually operable toseparate said fuse link during normal load conditions; said operatingmeans operatively connected to move said second latch to latch saidtoggle link and to subsequently separate said fuse link when saidoperating means is energized.

2. In a cut-out device having main contacts and interrupting means inseries; an interrupting chamber for said interrupting means; a togglelink operatively connected to said interrupting chamber positioned tomaintain said main contacts engaged when said toggle link is latched;said interrupting means operatively connected to maintain said togglelatched when said interrupting means is uninterrupted and to unlatchsaid toggle when said interrupting means is interrupted; an operatingmeans operatively connected to a latch member; said operating meansbeing manually operable to separate said fuse link during norm-a1 loadconditions; said latch member positioned to latch said toggle and saidoperating means constructed to subsequently cause interruption of saidinterrupting means when said operating means are energized.

3. In a cut-out device having main contacts and interrupting means inseries; an interrupting chamber for said interrupting means; a togglelink operatively connected to said interrupting chamber positioned tomaintain said main contacts engaged when said toggle link is latched;said interrupting means operatively connected to maintain said togglelatched when said interrupting means is uninterrupted and to unlatchsaid toggle when said interrupting means is interrupted; an operatingmeans operatively connected to a latch member; said operating meansbeing manually operable to separate said fuse link during normal loadconditions; said latch member positioned to latch said toggle when saidoperating means is moved downward and said operating mean-s constructedto subsequently cause interruption of said interrupting means when saidoperating means are energized.

4. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube havinga lower tube support means; a toggle link; a first latch forsaid toggle link and a second latch for said toggle link; a first pivot;a second pivot and an operating means; said lower tube support meanspivotally supported on said second pivot; said toggle link pivotallysupported between said first and second pivots; said first latchpivotally supported on said first pivot; said first latch constructed tobe maintained in the latch position when said fuse link is fused and inthe unlatched position when said fuse link is separated; said operatingmeans operatively connected to move said second latch to latch saidtoggle link and to pivotally rotate said first latch about said firstpivot when said operating means is energized; said first latch and saidfuse link leader constructed to cause separation of said fuse link whensaid first latch is rotated about said first pivot.

5. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube having a lower tube support means; a toggle link; a first latch forsaid toggle link and a second latch for said toggle link; a first pivot,a second pivot and an operating means; said lower tube support meanspivotally supported on said second pivot; said toggle link pivotallysupported between said first and second pivots; said first latchpivotally supported on said first pivot; said first latch constructed tobe maintained in the latch position when said fuse link is fused and 7in the unlatched position when said fuse link is separated; saidoperating means operatively connected to move said second latch to latchsaid toggle link and to pivotally rotate said first latch about saidfirst pivot when said operating means is energized.

6. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube having a lower support means; a toggle link; a first and secondlatch for said toggle link; a first and second pivot and a pivotallysupported operating arm; said lower tube support means pivotallysupported on said second pivot; said toggle link pivotally supportedbetween said first and second pivots; said first latch pivotallysupported on said first pivot; said first latch fastened to the fuselink leader of said fuse link to thereby be positioned to latch saidtoggle link; said second latch positioned on said pivotally supported operating arm; said pivotally supported operating arm connected toposition said second latch to latch said toggle link upon rotation ofsaid pivotally supported operating arm and to subsequently engage saidfirst latch and cause rotation of said first latch about said firstpivot to thereby rupture said fuse link.

7. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube having a lower support means; a toggle link; a first and secondlatch for said toggle link; a first and second pivot and a pivotallysupported operating arm; said lower tube support means pivotallysupported on said second pivot; said toggle link pivotally supportedbetween said first and second pivots; said first latch pivotallysupported on said first pivot; said first latch fastened to the fuselink leader of said fuse link to thereby be positioned to latch saidtoggle link; said second latch positioned on said pivotally supportedoperating arm; said toggle link and said first and second pivotspositioned to allow said fuse tube to drop down to a predeterminedposition when said toggle link is unlatched; said pivotally supportedoperating arm connected to position said second latch to latch saidtoggle link upon rotation of said pivotally supported operating arm andto subsequently engage said first latch and cause rotation of said firstlatch about said first pivot to thereby rupture said fuse link.

8. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube supported between an upper tube latch assembly and a lower tubesupport means; a toggle link; a first latch for said toggle link and asecond latch for said toggle link; a first pivot, a second pivot and anoperating means; said lower tube support means pivotally supported onsaid second pivot; said toggle link pivotally supported between saidfirst and second pivots; said first latch pivotally supported on saidfirst pivot; said first latch operatively connected to be maintained inthe latch position when said fuse link is fused and in the unlatchedposition when said fuse link is separated;

said toggle link and said first and second pivots positioned to allowsaid fuse tube to drop down to a predetermined position to therebyunlatch said fuse tube from said upper tube latch assembly when saidtoggle link is unlatched; said operating means operatively connected tomove said second latch to latch said toggle link and to pivotally rotatesaid first latch about said first pivot whensaid operating means isenergized; said first latch and said fuse link leader constructed tocause separation of said fuse link when said first latch is rotatedabout said first pivot.

9. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube having a lower tube support means; a toggle link; a first latch forsaid toggle link and a second latch for said toggle link; a first pivot,a second pivot and an operating means; said lower tube support meanspivotally supported on said second pivot; said toggle link pivotallysupported between said first and second pivots; said first latchpivotally supported on said first pivot; said first latch operativelyconnected to be maintained in the latch position when said fuse link isfused and in the unlatched position when said fuse link is separated;said toggle link and said first and second pivots positioned to allowsaid fuse tube to drop down to a predetermined position when said togglelink is unlatched; said operating means operatively connected to movesaid second latch to latch said toggle link and to pivotally rotate saidfirst latch about said first pivot when said operating means isenergized.

10. hi a fuse cut-out having main contacts, a fuse tube, a fuse link andan operating means; said fuse tube having an upper support and a lowersupport; said main contacts maintained in engaged position when saidfuse tube is latched in said upper support; said main contacts todisengage when said fuse tube drops out of said upper art to anunlatched position; a toggle link having a iiiSl and second latchoperatively connected to said fuse tube to maintain said fuse tubelatched in said upper support when said toggle link is latched and toallow said fuse tube to drop out of said latched position in said uppersupport when said toggle link is unlatched; the fuse link leader of saidfuse link and said first latch constructed to maintain said toggle inthe latched position when said fuse link is fused and in the unlatchedposition when said fuse link is separated; said operating means and saidsecond latch constructed to latch said toggle link and subsequentlyseparate said fuse link when said operating means is energized.

11. In a fuse cut-out having main contacts, a fuse tube, a fuse link andan operating means; said fuse tube having an upper support and a lowersupport; said main contacts maintained in engaged position when saidfuse tube is latched in said upper support; said main contacts todisengage when said fuse tube drops out of said upper support to anunlatched position; a first and second pivot; a toggle link pivotallysupported between said first and second pivots having a first and secondlatch operatively connected to said fuse tube to maintain said fuse tubelatched in said upper support when said toggle link is latched and toallow said fuse tube to drop out of said latched position in said uppersupport when said toggle link is unlatched; said first latch pivotallysupported on said first pivot; the fuse link leader of said fuse linkand said first latch constructed to maintain said toggle in the latchedposition when said fuse link is fused and in the unlatched position whensaid fuse link is separated; said operating means and said second latchconstructed to latch said toggle link and subsequently force said firstlatch to pivotally rotate about said first pivot to separate said fuselink when said operating means is energized; said fuse tube lowersupport constructed to subsequently disengage main contacts in rotatingabout said first pivot.

12. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube having a lower tube support means; a toggle link; a first latch forsaid toggle link and a second latch for said toggle link; a first pivot,a second pivot and an operating means; said operating means pivotallysupported on said lower tube support means; said lower tube supportmeans pivotally supported on said second pivot; said toggle linkpivotally supported between said first and second pivots; said firstlatch pivotally supported on said first pivot; said first latchconstructed to be maintained in the latch position when said fuse linkis fused and in the unlatched position when said fuse link is separated;said operating means operatively connected to move said second latch tolatch said toggle link and to pivotally rotate said first latch aboutsaid first pivot when said operating means is energized.

13. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube supported between an upper tube latch assembly and a lower tubesupport means; a toggle link; a first latch for said toggle link and asecond latch for said toggle link; a first pivot, a second pivot and anoperating means; said operating means pivotally supported on said lowertube support means; said lower tube support means pivotally supported onsaid second pivot; said toggle link pivotally supported between saidfirst and second pivots; said first la-tch pivotally supported on saidfirst pivot; said first latch operatively connected to be maintained inthe latch position when said fuse link is fused and in the unlatchedposition when said fuse link is separated; said toggle link and saidfirst and second pivots positioned to allow said fuse tube to drop downto a predetermined position to thereby unlatch said fuse tube from saidupper tube latch assembly when said toggle link is unlatched; saidoperating means operatively connected to move said second latch to latchsaid toggle link and to pivotally rotate said first latch about saidfirst pivot when said operating means is energized; said first latch andsaid fuse link leader constructed to cause separation of said fuse linkwhen said first latch is rotated about said first pivot.

,14. In a fuse cut-outhaving main contacts, a fuse tube, a fuse link andan operating means; said fuse tube having an upper support and a lowersupport; said main contacts maintained in engaged position when saidfuse tube is latched in said upper support; said main contacts todisengage when said fuse tube drops out of said upper support to anunlatched position; a toggle link having a first and second latchoperatively connected to said fuse tube to maintain said fuse tubelatched in said upper support when said toggle link is latched and toallow said fuse tube to drop out of said latched position in said uppersupport when said toggle link is unlatched; the fuse link leader of saidfuse link and said first latch constructed to maintain said toggle inthe latched position when said fuse link is fused and in the unlatchedposition when said fuse link is separated; said operating means beingmanually operable to separate said fuse link during normal loadconditions; said operating means and said second latch constructed tolatch said toggle link and subsequently separate said fuse link whensaid operating means is rotated; said operating means pivotallysupported on said lower support.

15. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube having a lower tube support means; a toggle link; a first latch forsaid toggle link and a second latch for said toggle link; a first pivot,a second pivot and an operating means; said lower tube support meanspivotally supported on said second pivot; said toggle link pivotallysupported between said first and second pivots; said first latchpivotally supported on said first pivot; said first latch constructed tobe maintained in the latch position when said fuse link is fused and inthe unlatched position when said fuse link is separated; said operatingmeans operatively connected to move said second latch to latch saidtoggle link and to pivotally rotate said first latch about said firstpivot when said operating means is energized; and means to guide saidfirst latch in its rotation.

16. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube having a lower tube support means; a toggle link; a first latch forsaid toggle link and a second latch for said toggle link; a first pivot,a second pivot and an operating means; said lower tube support meanspivotally supported on said second pivot; said toggle link pivotallysupported between said first and second pivots; said first latchpivotally supported on said first pivot; said first latch constructed tobe maintained in the latch position when said fuse link is fused and inthe unlatched position when said fuse link is separated; said operatingmeans operatively connected to move said second latch to latch saidtoggle link and to pivotally rotate said first latch about said firstpivot when said operating means is energized; and means to guiderotation of said first latch about said first pivot containing saidsecond pivot.

17. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube supported between an upper tube latch assembly and a lower tubesupport means; a toggle link;

a first latch for said toggle link and a second latch for said togglelink; a first pivot, a'second pivot and an operating means; said lowertube support means pivotally supported on said second pivot; said togglelink pivotally supported between said first and second pivots; saidfirst latch pivotally supported on said first pivot; said first latchoperatively connected to be maintained in the latch position when saidfuse link is fused and in the unlatched position when said fuse link isseparated; said toggle link and said first and second pivots positionedto allow said fuse tube to drop down to a predetermined position tothereby unlatch said fuse tube from said upper tube latch assembly whensaid toggle link is unlatched; said operating means operativelyconnected to move said second latch to latch said toggle link and topivotally rotate said first latch about said first pivot when saidoperating means is energized; said first latch and said fuse link leaderconstructed to cause separation of said fuse link when said first latchis rotated about said first pivot; and means to guide rotation of saidfirst latch about said first pivot containing said second pivot.

18. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube having a lower tube support means; a toggle link; a first latch forsaid toggle link and a second latch for said toggle link; a first pivot,a second pivot and an operating means; said lower tube support meanspivotally supported on said second pivot; said first pivot supported ina hinge casting; said toggle link pivotally supported between said firstand second pivots; said first latch pivotally supported on said firstpivot; said first latch constructed to be maintained in the latchposition when said fuse link is fused and in the unlatched position whensaid fuse link is separated; said operating means pivotally supported onsaid hinge casting; said operating means operatively connected to movesaid second latch to latch said toggle link and to pivotally rotate saidfirst latch about said first pivot when said operating means is rotated.

19. In a fuse cut-out comprising a fuse tube and a fuse link; said fusetube having a lower tube support means; a toggle link; a first latch forsaid toggle link and a second latch for said toggle link; a first pivot,a second pivot and an operating means; said lower tube support meanspivotally supported on said second pivot; said first pivot supported ina hinge casting; said toggle link pivotally supported between said firstand second pivots; said first latch pivotally supported on said firstpivot; said first latch constructed to be maintained in the latchposition when said fuse link is fused and in the unlatched position whensaid fuse link is separated; said operating means pivotally supported onsaid hinge casting; said operating means operatively connected to movesaid second latch to latch said toggle link and to pivotally rotate saidfirst latch about said first pivot when said operating means is rotated;and means to guide said first latch in its rotation.

20. In a cut-out device having cooperating contacts, interrupting meansand control means; said cooperating contacts and said interrupting meansbeing connected in series; a tube for said interrupting means, said tubecomprising an interrupting chamber for said interrupting means;saidcooperating contacts being comprised of a first support and astationary contact; said first support and a second support respectivelybeing positioned at each end ofsaid tube; said interrupting means beingelectrically operatively connected to said second support to maintainsaid cooperating contacts in the engaged position; an operating leveroperatively connected to said interrupting means and said control means;a latch; said operating lever being operatively connected to saidcontrol means; said operating lever being constructed to position saidcontrol means to maintain. said cooperating contacts in engagement bymeans of said latch and to subsequently interrupt said interruptingmeans when said operating lever is moved in a first direction; and toinfluence said control means by means of said latch to causedisengagement of said cooperating contacts when said operating lever ismoved in a second direction.

21. In a cut-out device having cooperating contacts, interrupting meansand control means; said cooperating contacts and said interrupting meansin series; a tube for said interrupting means, said tube comprising aninterrupting chamber for said interrupting means; said cooperatingcontacts being comprised of a first support and a stationary contact,said first support and a second support respectively positioned at eachend of said tube; said interrupting means electrically operativelyconnected to said second support to maintain said cooperating contactsin the engaged position; an operating lever operatively connected tosaid interrupting means and said control means; a latch; said operatinglever being operatively connected to said control means; said operatinglever being constructed to position said control means to maintain saidcooperating contacts in engagement by means of said latch and tosubsequently interrupt said 12 interrupting means when said operatinglever is moved in a first direction; and to influence said control meansby means of said latch to cause disengagement of said cooperatingcontacts when said operating lever is moved in a second direction; saidoperating lever pivotally supported on said second support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,310,466 Schultz et al. Feb. 9, 1943 2,328,818 Lindell et al. Sept. 7,1943 2,362,314 Schultz et al. Nov. 7, 1944 2,400,850 Steinmayer et al.May 21, 1946 2,514,163 Pittman July 4, 1950 2,625,623 Baskerville Jan.13, 1953 2,630,508 Meisenheimer et al. n Mar. 3, 1953 2,637,795 HubbardMay 5, 1953 2,680,171 Curtis et al. June 1, 1954

